As part of the measures to combat COVID-19, the Dutch government ordered the (temporary) closure of the retail sector to the public, with the exception of food stores and chemist’s stores. In response, INretail sought the re-opening of the non-essential retail sector in preliminary relief proceedings against the State. On 12 March 2021, the Preliminary Relief Judge denied all of INretail’s claims.[1] The Preliminary Relief Judge concurred with the State in finding that the need to enforce the closure of non-essential retail stores continued to exist in full, while, in addition, maintaining this measure was proportionate.

[1]The Hague District Court 12 March 2021, ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2021:2295.